Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Review scope of work to determine if project is exempt from CEQA requirements. 2. Prepare an Initial Study and a potential Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). 3. Review available project information, plans, studies, and other available relevant information. 4. Prepare a draft project description for the IS/MND. 5. Prepare Technical Studies: 1. Research and complete a Cultural Resources Report, including: 1. Conducting a field Survey 2. Completing a Report and DPR Forms 3. Creating a Paleontological Overview 2. AB 52 Native American Consultation: 1. Acquire an AB 52 contact list from the AHJ and draft letters to all entities listed to determine whether any tribe or individual has knowledge of cultural resources within the project boundaries. 3. Prepare an Air Quality/GHG Technical Memo: 1. Prepare a technical memorandum, in accordance with the criteria, standards, and provisions of the CEQA guidelines, to respond to the applicable checklist items within Appendix G of the CEQA guidelines. 2. Construction Emissions: Calculate project construction emissions using the most current version of the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod). 3. Operational Emissions: Quantify operational emissions (e.g. area, energy, and mobile source) related to area sources and local/regional vehicle miles traveled. Project emissions shall be compared to the SCAQMD thresholds of significance. 4. Localized Impacts: Analyze impacts based upon the SCAQMD’s Localized Significance Thresholds (LST) methodology. 5. Plan Consistency: Evaluate against SCAQMD’s current Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). 4. Biological Resources Report/MSHCP Consistency: 1. Prepare a habitat assessment memorandum for the proposed project with the assistance of a Biologist sub-consultant. 2. Literature/Database Review: Review state and federal databases of sensitive species known to occur in the area. 3. Field Review: With the assistance of a biologist sub-consultant, conduct a pedestrian survey of the project area, including a standard 200-foot buffer area, and review the site for both common and sensitive wildlife, including a habitat assessment. 4. BRA/JD Report: Prepare a BRA/JD report suitable for CEQA, including an MSHCP consistency analysis and a HANS analysis. 5. Noise Study 1. Prepare a technical noise analysis to determine project compliance with AHJ noise standards and associated potential noise impacts. 2. Existing Conditions and Regulatory Setting Survey: Discuss noise standards regulating noise impacts for land uses on and adjacent to the project site. Conduct a site visit and measure short-term noise levels within the project area. 3. Construction Noise: Evaluate construction noise impacts in terms of maximum levels (Lmax) and hourly equivalent continuous noise levels (Leq) and the frequency of occurrence. Analyze noise impacts from construction sources based on the anticipated equipment, construction phase duration, and typical equipment specifications. 4. Vibration: Analyze construction vibration impacts based on the FTA’s vibration analysis guidance. 5. Operational Noise. Analyze on-site noise-generating activities for potential impacts to adjacent uses. Assess against the AHJ's Land Use Noise and Compatibility Matrix and interior/exterior noise guidelines. Assess on- and off-site noise impacts from vehicular traffic using the U.S. FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD- 77-108). 6. Prepare a 24-hour weighted Community Noise Equivalent Levels (CNEL) report in tabular format.
